ECD September Chapter Spotlight: Keeping Pace with Central Michigan
The East Central District Chapter Spotlight shines on PRSA Central Michigan this September, and it is an especially radiant month for the whole “Great Lakes State.” CMPRSA is one of four PRSA chapters in Michigan, and they will join ECD in making history with the Sept. 17-18 Built on Hustle: Communicating in the Age of Change East Central District Conference moving for the first time to Detroit.
Central Michigan PRSA has its hub in Lansing but serves the diverse Mid-Michigan area of the state. Lansing is the state capital and Michigan’s sixth-largest city, with neighboring East Lansing home to Michigan State University. The metro is an educational, cultural, governmental, commercial, and industrial center.
Lawmakers moved the state capital from Detroit to the tiny Township of Lansing in 1847. The founding of Oldsmobile in 1897 transformed the city into an industrial center for manufacturing automobiles and parts, and it doubled in size by 1956.
CMPRSA was founded in 1977 by a handful of local public relations professionals. A beginning mission statement of the chapter stated its purpose as “an association through which public relations practitioners interact, develop professionally, support members and the community, and strengthen the profession.”
CMPRSA leaders say their mission remains strong.
“Our chapter has grown into a community of 106 members who bring diverse perspectives from higher education, state and local government and agencies across the region,” said Immediate Past President Helen Comiska.
“In recent years, our chapter has focused on stability and sustainability, prioritizing the core reasons people join CMPRSA and delivering meaningful, high-quality experiences that are realistic and consistent,” said Chapter President Hannah Lupi, APR.
PRSA Central Michigan’s “Biggest Project” is the PACE Awards, mid-Michigan’s highest honor of public relations activities, awarded annually to practitioners who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.
“We’re proud to host the Annual PACE Awards — now in its 40th year!” said Helen. “This signature celebration of PR and comms excellence is happening this fall. If you’re in the Lansing area, we’d love to have you join us.”
“It will be our 40th annual PACE Awards, and it is now hosted in tandem with our Professional Development Day,” said Hannah.
This year’s theme is “The Future of PR: Trends, Tech & Trust,” and it promises engaging speakers, cozy networking opportunities, and valuable insight to help boost careers and improve PR performance.
Professional Development Day is Oct. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University Club of MSU and will be followed by the PACE Awards. Learn more
The PACE Awards have endured, even at the height of the pandemic. In 2020, CMPRSA became one of the first PRSA chapters in the nation to hold its awards program virtually. Members applauded the effort, calling it a great way to feel connected while maintaining a safe environment during the pandemic.
When the nation focused on racial justice in 2019, CMPRSA made a strong recommitment to a more inclusive community for every practitioner it serves by creating the “Inclusion, Diversity, Ethics and Advocacy (IDEA) Champion,” a board position that continues to be part of the chapter’s Member Engagement and Development Committee.
What’s Central Michigan’s secret to a happy chapter? “I would say a healthy volunteer pipeline and manageable workloads for board members are key to providing the best experience for our membership!” said Hannah.
“It’s simple,” said Helen. “Genuine connections. We take the time to know our members, support one another and celebrate wins together.”
2026 Officers:
• President: Hannah Lupi, APR
• President-Elect: Jenna Natwick
• Past President: Helen Comiska
• Secretary: Stacy Bogard
• Inclusion, Diversity, Ethics, and Advocacy (IDEA) Champion: Shakayla Zoss
• Assembly Delegate: Melissa Molenda, APR
Directors:
• Stacy Bogard, Director-at-Large
• Kim Frederickson, Director-at-Large
• Jack Harrison, Director-at-Large
• Kirsten Simmons, Director-at-Large, Membership Chair
• Melissa Molenda, APR, Director-at-Large, Professional Development Day Chair
• Amy Adamy, MPH, APR, Director-at-Large, APR Chair
• Jenna Natwick, Director-at-Large, Communications Chair
• Megan Winans, Director-at-Large, MSU PRSSA Professional Advisor
• Luke Capizzo, Ph.D., APR, MSU PRSSA Faculty Advisor
